FAQ’s

Calves – Until they are weaning calves will require twice daily bottle feeding in the morning and afternoon. They will also need access to calf pellets and hay to assist with their rumen development.

Cows – Dependent on your location and climate cows generally get most of their nutrient from grazing alone but it is always recommended to supplement their diet with high quality grass hay especially during wet, dry, or snowy periods.

Calves- We always recommend a horse float when transporting calves as they provide the best protection and insulation from the elements. Ensure there is a deep layer of bedding hay as calves tend to lay down when travelling. If possible do not make to many stops as it will disrupt the calves. If you are travelling distances greater than 2 hours you will likely need to offer your calves some electrolytes to keep them hydrated. Your foster carer will ensure this is explained prior to your collection.

Cows- Transport is usually a very stressful process for grown cows, because of this we always recommend hiring a professional livestock carrier as they have the facilities to make loading and unloading a seamless and most importantly safe process for all involved.

Although the team at Companion Cows will always be here to support and provide advice throughout the life of your cows we always recommend speaking to a vet when in comes to your animal’s health. If at anytime you notice concerning symptoms or behaviour from your cow, immediately call your vet.

See our sick calf care guide to learn more.

Having well planned out fencing will save you many headaches in the future, we promise. Unfortunately, cows have a tendency to test, rub and push through fencing. Although your property may have 'cattle fencing', we recommend taking it one step further. Offset electric fences are economical and an easy to install option if you have an existing fence that you want to protect. This system will ensure the cows cannot put pressure on your existing fencing. Having rotational grazing paddocks will also put less stress on your fencing to keep your cows enriched.

Water is a precious resource, especially when you have animals. Fully grown cows can drink between 10 - 200 litres per day! Planning is key to being prepared. We recommend having multiple water troughs throughout the paddock. Investing in a large water tank nearby, solely for your cows may also help. If you have access to a dam, you may also think about purchasing a pump to fill your troughs. Just make sure you test the quality of your water first!

It is very dependent on your locations, rainfall and soil quality, but as a rule of thumb having at least 2 acres per cow is recommended. How you manage you land is the most important consideration; rotational grazing is the best way to make use of smaller acreage as it allows your property time to rest and recover. Additionally, some breeds may be more suitable as they put less strain on your grazing pasture. Feel free to reach out to Companion Cows knowledgeable adoption team to discuss your unique situation.

Your Companion Cows foster carer will ensure you have all the information you need when you collect! But your Companion Cow will be desexed, tagged, vaccinated, wormed and be given a through health screening before they have been adopted.

Firstly thank you for making the lifesaving decision to adopt! Your adoption donations allows us to continue our work to Rescue, Rehome & Represent Dairy cows & their babies. You donation also give the calves in our care the very best veterinary treatment and their foster carers the comfort of knowing that no matter the day or time they can make that lifesaving call.